Explore the wooded hills and river-carved valleys of The Alleghenies and discover a landscape perfect for hikers, river rats and fat tire enthusiasts.

ake a look at the amount of vacation time people get in countries around the world and it's pretty easy to see that Americans spend way too much time in the office. Italians enjoy an average of 42 days off every year. The French take 37. Even our Canadian neighbors get 26. So when we get the chance to actually use one of our woeful average of just 13 vacation days, we need to do something we'll remember for a lifetime. For me, that means time spent outdoors without a lot of time spent getting there. And that's what makes The Alleghenies a great choice for the three-day weekend getaway. It's a quick drive and offers enough adventure to fill even the 34-day vacation schedule of the folks in Brazil. So shut down the email, take a short trip and climb to Pennsylvania's highest point, experience the power of the Stoneycreek River and hammer through some of the best mountain biking in the Commonwealth. Wow. 12 days of vacation left. What will you do with it all?

At just over 3,200 feet, Mt. Davis stands as Pennsylvania's highest point. Around this rugged peak are the lands of the Mt. Davis Natural Area – home to miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and horseback riding. At the summit, be sure to climb the tower and take in the views of Maryland and the surrounding countryside with Amish farms dotting the landscape and mountains rolling off into the distance. Once you're off the trail, take the short drive into Meyersdale for a well-deserved portion of home cooked goodness at The White House Restaurant. Then make yourself at home at the Levi Deal Mansion, where you'll drift to sleep to the whistle of the train as it rolls through town.

When flows are good, the Stoneycreek is an adrenalin-packed Class III – IV whitewater river that has been named one of the top five whitewater destinations in the country by American Whitewater magazine. For the biggest waves and best holes to play in, plan your run for the spring or fall. After you dry off, cruise to nearby Jennerstown and a comfortable room at Our Coal Miners Café and Bed & Breakfast Inn. Just down the road, the Inn at Georgian Place is a great spot for a hearty dinner before you call it a day.

The ridges and valleys of The Alleghenies are home to some of the best mountain biking tracks in the state – including the legendary Roth Rock Ride (one of just 40 IMBA Epic Rides that exist nationwide). But this isn't a day for epics, instead, clip in and take off on the miles of singletrack that wind through the forests of Blue Knob State Park. Whether you tackle the Rock 'N Ridge loop (with variations for beginner, intermediate and expert riders), or one of the park's other great routes, you'll find a maze of trails waiting to be explored and views around nearly every bend. After a day of slinging mud, point your tires downhill from Chappell's Field and enjoy a welcome post-ride dip at the pool.